Violin.



No. 639,764. 'Patented Dec. 26, I899. H. C. PERRY.

VIOLIN.

(Application filed Oct. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.)

\WXWLAMA Mm 7/ I INVENTOR TNE mmmc'pcrcns co. PHOTLLLHNO \wsmumom o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY O. PERRY, OF lVILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

VIOLIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,764, dated December 26, 1899.

' Application filed October 21, 1899. Serial No. 734,418. (No model.)

To all whom it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY O. PERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Wilkes- Barr, county of Luzerne, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Violins, described in the following specification and drawings in reference thereto.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of the top and bottom or backs of violins, and has for its object the improvement in tone quality, solidity, and carrying power.. I effect this by the method of construction shown by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a top view of the violin-top A, which is composed of the elevated portion B, all of which preferably is worked from solid materials, although for convenience the raised portion may be glued upon the outer rim portion of the same, if desired. The back or bottom of the violin is constructed in the same manner in every respect, except as to the forming of sounding slots and holes shown on each outer side running along the narrow part of the violin, shown by figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Fig. 1, which consists of saW-kerfs and holes about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, which may be varied in size to suit the quality of tone desired. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the violin having the raised portion of top and back, also the ribs 0, and a section of the neck D attached thereto. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the instrument as construct ed through the line w 00, as shown in Fig. 1.

On the interior part of the top a chamber E is formed, which is composed of materials preferably of the same kind from which the top and back are made for either partthat is, hard wood for the back and soft wood for the top oneand should be made of about the same thickness as the top and should extend about the length of the dotted lines f f (shown in Fig. 1) and be made from one-half to threefourths of an inch deep and preferably about four inches long. The left-hand or G side of the top chamber should have the bar extended somewhat below the said depth, as shown in Fig. 3. The said chamberE is left open at both ends. On the bottom or back is formed a similar chamber H, but having sides of equal width, and between the chambers E and H, at a suitable position, is secured a soundingpost I in order to connect the top and back together in a somewhat-rigid manner when the violin is completed. This post I should be placed about one-fourth of an inch behind the inner side of the bridge-foot on the treble side of the instrument, and if any variation is required with relation to the bridge the said bridge may be moved forward or backward to obtain the best vibration and tone quality desired.

The above form of construction admits of employing a larger air-space than is usual, while from the solidity produced by the abovenamed chambers the quality of tone is strengthened and yet maintains its relation to the first or treble violin and very much improves its carrying quality, while at the same time producing a sweet mellow tone which is pleasant to the ear of the performer.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a violin the top A formed with a raised portion B having saw-kerfs and openings alongside of said raised portion cut through the top, and having a longitudinal chamber E formed within said top and firmly attached thereto as a part of the same, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

2. The chamber E having a rib on the lefthand side of said-chamber extending below the bottom of said chamber and being firmly secured thereto and to the top A in themanner shown and described.

8. In a violin the chamber II attached to the inner portion of the back and having the sounding-post I secured thereto and to chamber E of the top A in the manner and for the purpose described.

4. In a violin, the raised portions of the top A and back, having the chambers E and H the sounding-post I secured thereto, ali in combination for the purposes described.

5. In a violin the raised top A containing openings in said top alongside of said raised portion, an interior chamber E having a rib on the left-hand side of said chamber extendin g below said chamber, a sounding-post I the chamber II attached to the interior portion of the back, said back raised on the outside, all in combination as specified.

HENRY C. PERRY.

Witnesses:

J. R. PERRY, MARY REES. 

